Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow and Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), John Brady, has hit out at the Minister for Transport and the National Transport Authority (NTA) following an updated reply from the NTA confirming that the €11 million Fassaroe Park and Ride facility is ready for operation, but cannot open because there is no funding in place for the necessary bus services.
Deputy Brady described the situation as an “absolute scandal” and yet another example of Government’s failure to properly plan and coordinate the delivery of critical transport infrastructure.
Teachta Brady said:
“This entire saga is an absolute scandal.
“The NTA has now confirmed, following my repeated queries, that the facility is ready for operation, but they are still waiting for the necessary funding to operate the relevant buses.
“An €11 million facility has been built, it is ready to operate, and yet there is absolutely no clarity or certainty on when people will actually be able to use it.
“The NTA says the funding required has been sought as part of its 2027 budgetary request, but they are awaiting the outcome of the budgetary process.
“So, despite the facility being substantially completed in late 2025, it will remain closed until 2027 at the earliest and potentially beyond.
“388 parking spaces have been developed, but the people stuck in traffic on the N11 every day are still waiting.
“The NTA reply gives absolutely no certainty or reassurance that the necessary funding will be granted.
“And it gets worse.
“The NTA states that a procurement competition has been carried out and a preferred bidder has been identified to operate the facility on a day-to-day basis.
“How can a preferred bidder be identified to operate the facility when we have absolutely no idea on when it will actually become operational?
“This is a fundamentally flawed process.
“Surely the funding for the bus services should have been secured before we reached the point of procuring an operator for a facility that cannot open.
“And because it remains closed, taxpayers are also footing the bill for an additional €50,000 in security costs to protect a facility that nobody can access.
“It is an absolute farce.
“Wicklow commuters deserve answers.
“I will be raising this again directly with the Minister and demanding that the facility open as soon as possible.
“Wicklow commuters cannot wait for the outcome of a lengthy budgetary negotiation.
“This €11 million facility must be opened as a matter of urgency.
“Enough is enough.”
ENDS